Ben Whishaw to star in Freddie Mercury biopic

Actor Ben Whishaw has reportedly been roped in to star as musician Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen, in an upcoming biopic.

Actor Sacha Baron Cohen had initially been picked to play the rock icon, but he quit the movie in July, citing creative differences.

According to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, the filmmakers have now turned to Whishaw to take on the project, which will be produced by the band's surviving members Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.

Taylor hinted at the new casting Oct 18, where he stated that an actor with the initials "BW" had become the frontrunner for the role.